I bought a Hand-E-Knit portable knitting amchine and couldn't figure it out either because the needles are stationary. At the knittingmachines group on yahoo.com I found out it's very like the Empisal mini. I finally got it to work last night by ewrapping the needles, pushing the ewrap behind the latches, making sure all the latches are open, laying the yarn in the open latches, and then running the carriage over that. It knitted! Then you lay the yarn in the latches again, run the carriage over it the other way. You do need some weight on it and you do need to make sure the stitch is pulled down over the needle after the carriage run.

I found sport weight yarn did not work well but I had some crochet cotton thread that did work. My needles are very tiny and I am used to the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine which knits regular yarn.

I just bought a mini knitting machine too. Have you found out any info. about your machine? Stationary needles seem odd. Do you mean they don't move at all? I'd love to post and compare info on our... more

I'd love to see this machine if you have photo capability. Count your needles per inch. Let me know what you get. I happen to love inventing. I'm working on making a working knitting machine only 6... more

I have pictures of the Hand-E-Knit at http://studentpages.alma.edu/~07jmyate/handeknit.html I will run up and count the needles per inch right now. I'm not very proficient yet at the hand-e-knit. I... more

Hi Jamie, I have a bad right elbow too. ggg As I learn more, we might want to post privately for speed. I will show you as I go how to make more advanced items. Your machine is very like mine. Do I... more

I started two days ago to knit with a singer 321 punchcard model, so I thought it would be the same. Got the empisal machine today and it keeps on dropping off.. I don't have the manuel, would you... more

Hi Trudy,any luck on the manual? I am also looking for a copy of the instructions, basics!! I have the book for startig the ribber, but don't have a clue on how to just jolly well knit, and cards!!So ... more

Hi, I can't remember exactly as I've not been knitting on it for ages, but I think I did get it working, and the buttons were for pattern selections. you pressed the orange button to reset, from... more

Hi Trudy, thanks for the info and prompt reply, I discovered the carriage wasn't on properly, a few needles bent so not catching, but have finessed the instructions for ribbing etc to figure out how... more

I am pretty sure that's rust in the picture. I'm loading the picture now so I can see what you mean. I sprayed it with silicone spray that I use on my Bond and it was so cool. I mean I could move the ... more

Too funny Jamie, I was going to bid on an old knitking but didn't get there in the end. Wonder if it's the same one. Did it show no handle? I have one similar from about the 50s. It is older than the ... more

I don't think you can post pictures here but if you email them to me I can upload them to my website and give you a link you can give to others The Knitking I bought on ebay did have a handle. It was ... more

Hi, I was having trouble with my computer when I last wrote and the computer did not let me leave my name. I know that sounds weird. I have a Empisal Mini Schnell Stricker. 60 needles that do not... more

How did you make socks? I don't know if I am ready for anything as nice as socks! I have that Hand-E-Knit which has 160 needles which don't move. I finally figured it out enough to make a 30x30... more

Jamie, To knit socks you knit one side of the sock placing bobbie pins/hair pins on the end of every row., when you get to the toe to work the toe and then you start knitting the sock again you place ... more

now that's interesting I'm still a new machine knitter (and never hand knit). I think I will play with knitting machines today instead of the sewing machine. The sewing machine and I really had it... more

When using the bobby pins be extra diligent as it is so easy to forget to put the bobby pin in place and so hard to put it in later. As you keep knitting the knitted fabric curles inward and the pins ... more